Machine and Method of Retrofitting To Automatically Connect Hydraulics

ABSTRACT

The invention solves this problem by retrofitting the machine and implement with mating hydraulic connector blocks, which automatically make the hydraulic connections when the retrofitted machine attaches to the retrofitted implement. In addition, the retrofitted machine is still compatible with non-hydraulic implements. Both a method and a kit are described and claimed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional patent application no. Not Applicable 62/301,132 filed Feb. 29, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to machines, such as skid loaders which have a quick attach to allow the skid loader to pick up implements, and more specifically to retrofitting the machine and implement so that after the machine has picked up the implement, the hydraulics do not need to be manually connected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many different models of machines which have a quick attach so the machine can pick up an implement. Some implements are hydraulic and some are not. Many implements have a universal attach plate. All of the machines sold in the 1990's and 2000's, and after, require that once the machine picks up the implement, that the operator had to manually connect the hydraulics of the machine to the hydraulics of the implement.

What is needed is a method for retrofitting machines so that it is no longer necessary to manually connect the hydraulics of the machine to the implement, while still having a machine which is compatible with existing non-hydraulic implements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention solves this problem by retrofitting the machine and implement with mating hydraulic connector blocks, which automatically make the hydraulic connections when the retrofitted machine attaches to the retrofitted implement. In addition, the retrofitted machine is still compatible with non-hydraulic implements.

The method requires first removing the original quick attach from the machine by removing the hydraulic hoses and the pivot pins on the machine hydraulic loader arms and hydraulic cylinders.

Then, attaching an improved quick attach by attaching the connecting the pivot pins on the machine hydraulic loader arms and the hydraulic cylinders to the improved quick attach and attaching the hydraulic hoses.

Then, connecting auxiliary hydraulic hoses by teeing into the auxiliary connectors on the machine.

The improved quick attach having a hydraulic coupling block on it top side.

Next, attaching the machine hydraulic hoses to the hydraulic coupling block.

Finally, connecting implement hydraulics, which are positioned to mate with the hydraulic connections of the improved quick attach, so the machine can quick attach an implement and automatically make hydraulic connections without manually connecting the hydraulics.

The invention can also be a kit for retrofitting an existing machine and implement so hydraulic connections no longer have to be manually connected.

The kit includes an improved machine quick attach which is connected to the machine in place of the original quick attach and which has a hydraulic connector block connected to the hydraulics of the existing machine. The kit also includes an improved implement quick attach which is connected to the implement and which has a mating hydraulic connector block connected to the hydraulics of the existing implement and which is designed to automatically mate with the machine quick attach hydraulic connector block when the machine is attached to the implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the hydraulic hoses and electrical connectors (if any) being disconnected on an existing machine.

FIG. 2 shows the pivot pins on the hydraulic machine arms and hydraulic cylinders being removed.

FIG. 3 shows the machine with the original quick attach dissembled and pins detached and ready for attaching an improved quick attach, to avoid having to manually connect hydraulics.

FIG. 4 shows the improved quick attach with the hydraulic arms and cylinders attached using the pins removed in the prior steps.

FIG. 5 shows auxiliary hydraulic hoses being connected by teeing into the auxiliary connectors on the existing machine.

FIG. 6 shows the hydraulic hoses and any electrical connected.

FIG. 7 shows a dismantled quick attach.

FIG. 8 shows a closer view of the improved machine quick attach portion.

FIG. 9 shows a closer view of a portion of the machines improved quick attach.

FIG. 10 shows the hydraulic connector block of the improved machine quick attach.

FIG. 11 shows a closer view of another portion of the improved quick attach.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an implement without a universal attach plate or an incompatible attach, showing where the attach plate gets connected and the original (if any) is removed.

FIG. 14 shows an implement with the improved implement quick attach portion installed and the hydraulics connected

FIG. 15 shows a retrofitted machine and implement, as the hydraulics are just beginning to mate together.

FIG. 16 shows a retrofitted machine and implement, with the hydraulics partially mated.

FIG. 17 shows a retrofitted machine and implement, with the hydraulics fully mate together.

FIG. 18 shows the center brace portion of an implement which needs to be cut out to make room for the machine quick attach connector block to go up.

FIG. 19 shows a dust cover which can be attached to prevent dirt and material from getting into the machine hydraulic lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 shows the hydraulic hoses 10 and 12 and electrical connectors 14 (if any) being disconnected on an existing machine.

FIG. 2 shows the pivot pins 20 and 22 on the hydraulic machine arms and pivot pins 16 and 18 on the hydraulic cylinders being removed.

FIG. 3 shows the machine with the original quick attach dissembled and pins detached and ready for attaching an improved quick attach, to avoid having to manually connect hydraulics, shown generally at 24.

FIG. 4 shows the improved quick attach with the hydraulic arms and cylinders attached using the pins removed in the prior steps.

FIG. 5 shows auxiliary hydraulic hoses being connected by teeing into the auxiliary connectors on the existing machine, shown generally at 28.

FIG. 6 shows the hydraulic hoses and any electrical connected at 26.

FIG. 7 shows a dissembled quick attach.

FIG. 8 shows a closer view of the improved machine quick attach portion at 30.

FIG. 9 shows a closer view of the internals of the machines improved quick attach, at 32.

FIG. 10 shows the hydraulic connector block 34 of the improved machine quick attach 30.

FIG. 11 shows a closer view of the internals of improved quick attach, at 32.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an implement without a universal attach plate or an incompatible attach, showing where the attach plate 40 gets connected and the original (if any) is removed.

FIG. 14 shows an implement with the improved implement quick attach portion installed and the hydraulics connected, shown generally at 42.

FIG. 15 shows a retrofitted machine and implement, as the hydraulics are just beginning to mate together, shown generally at 44.

FIG. 16 shows a retrofitted machine and implement, with the hydraulics partially mated, shown generally at 46.

FIG. 17 shows a retrofitted machine and implement, with the hydraulics fully mate together, shown generally at 48.

FIG. 18 shows the center brace portion 50 of an implement which needs to be cut out to make room for the machine quick attach connector block to go up.

FIG. 19 shows a dust cover 52 which can be attached to prevent dirt and material from getting into the machine hydraulic lines.

It should be understood that a converted machine can still attach to any implement with a universal attach plate, whether it has hydraulics or not. It should also be understood that non-hydraulic implements can still be used with a converted machine. Finally, although described in connection with a skid loader, it should be understood that this invention will work with any machine designed to attach to implements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of retrofitting a machine with a quick attach which required manually hooking up hydraulics to an implement to an improved quick attach which automatically couples the hydraulic connections of the skid loader to the hydraulic connections of the implement, comprising the steps of: removing the original quick attach from the machine by removing the hydraulic hoses and the pivot pins on the machine hydraulic loader arms and hydraulic cylinders; attaching an improved quick attach by attaching the connecting the pivot pins on the machine hydraulic loader arms and the hydraulic cylinders to the improved quick attach and attaching the hydraulic hoses; connecting auxiliary hydraulic hoses by teeing into the auxiliary connectors on the machine; the improved quick attach having a hydraulic coupling block on it top side; attaching the machine hydraulic hoses to the hydraulic coupling block; connect implement hydraulics, which are positioned to mate with the hydraulic connections of the improved quick attach, whereby the machine can quick attach an implement and automatically make hydraulic connections without manually connecting the hydraulics.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the improved quick attach is compatible with non-hydraulic implements with a universal attach plate.
 3. The method of claim 2 further including the step of connecting a dust cover to cover the hydraulic connections on the machine when the improved quick attach is used with a non-hydraulic implement.
 4. The method of claim 1 further including the step of removing the original mounting plate and installing a compatible mounting plate on implements which do not have a universal or incompatible mounting plate.
 5. The method of claim 1 further including the step of cutting out the center brace of a universal mounting plate on an implement to provide a space for the machine quick attach hydraulic coupling block.
 6. A kit for retrofitting an existing machine and implement so hydraulic connections no longer have to be manually connected, comprising: an improved machine quick attach which is connected to the machine in place of the original quick attach and which has a hydraulic connector block connected to the hydraulics of the existing machine; an improved implement quick attach which is connected to the implement and which has a mating hydraulic connector block connected to the hydraulics of the existing implement and which is designed to automatically mate with the machine quick attach hydraulic connector block when the machine is attached to the implement.
 7. The kit of claim 6 wherein any electrical connections are also automatically connected when the machine is attached to the implement.
 8. The kit of claim 6 wherein a retrofitted machine can still be attached to a non-hydraulic implement.
 9. The kit of claim 8 further including a dust cover to cover the hydraulic connector block of the machine when connected to a non-hydraulic implement, whereby dirt and material is kept out of the hydraulics of the machine. 